Apparatus for use with an acoustic drum to produce electrical signals while muting the sound of the acoustic drum

ABSTRACT

An electronic percussion apparatus for use with an acoustic drum. The apparatus has a base layer of material having a first side for contacting a drum head of an acoustic drum, and an opposite, second side. The apparatus has a top layer of material joined to the base layer of material. A percussion detector is between the top and base layers. The percussion detector generates electrical signals in response to percussion impacts on the top layer. The top and bottom layers each have a thickness that acoustically isolates the drum head from percussion impacts on the top layer, wherein when the electronic percussion apparatus is placed on a drumhead of an acoustic drum and percussion impacts occur on the top layer, the drumhead is acoustically isolated from the percussion impacts and the percussion detector generates electrical signals in response to the percussion impacts on the top layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/021,423, filed Jan. 16, 2008. The entire disclosure of applicationNo. 61/021,423 is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for use with anacoustic drum to produce electrical signals while muting the sound ofthe acoustic drum.

BACKGROUND ART

Percussion instruments are known in the art and include such musicalinstruments as drums. Drums typically fall into two categories: (1)acoustic, and (2) electronic.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to, in one aspect, an apparatus foruse with an acoustic drum to produce electrical signals whilesubstantially muting the sound of the acoustic drum. The apparatuscomprises a base layer of material having a first side for contacting adrum head and an opposite second side, a piezoelectric sensor positionedon the opposite second side of the base layer of material, a device inelectrical signal communication with the piezoelectric sensor to provideaccessibility to the electrical signals produced by the piezoelectricsensor, and a top layer of material joined to the base layer of materialso that said piezoelectric sensor is sandwiched between said top andbase layers of material.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatus foruse with an acoustic drum to produce electrical signals whilesubstantially muting the sound of the acoustic drum, comprising a baselayer of material having a first side for contacting a drum head and anopposite, second side, a piezoelectric sensor positioned on theopposite, second side of the base layer of material, and an electricalconnector fixture positioned on the opposite, second side of the baselayer of material. The electrical connector fixture comprises anelectrical connector in electrical signal communication with thepiezoelectric sensor. The apparatus further comprises a top layer ofmaterial having an opening sized to receive the electrical connectorfixture. The top layer of material is joined to the base layer ofmaterial so that the piezoelectric sensor is sandwiched between the topand base layers of material and a portion of the electrical connectorfixture protrudes through the opening in the top layer of material sothat the electrical connector is accessible.

In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatusfor use with an acoustic drum to produce electrical signals whilesubstantially muting the sound of the acoustic drum, comprising a baselayer of material having a first side for contacting a drum head and anopposite second side, a layer of vibration-isolating material joined tothe opposite second side of the base layer of material, a piezoelectricsensor positioned on the layer of vibration-isolating material, and anelectrical connector fixture joined to the layer of vibration-isolatingmaterial. The electrical connector fixture comprises an electricalconnector that is in electrical signal communication with thepiezoelectric sensor. The apparatus further comprises a top layer ofmaterial that has an opening sized to receive the electrical connectorfixture. The top layer of material is joined to the layer ofvibration-isolating material and the periphery of the base layer ofmaterial so that the piezoelectric sensor is sandwiched between the toplayer of material and the layer of vibration-isolating material and aportion of the electrical connector fixture protrudes through theopening in the top layer of material so that the electrical connector isaccessible.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a pad foruse on a drum head of an acoustic drum, comprising a pad fabricated froma resilient material wherein the pad has a bottom side for contacting adrum head, a piezoelectric sensor embedded within the pad, and a devicein electrical signal communication with the piezoelectric sensor toprovide accessibility to the electrical signals produced by thepiezoelectric sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more readilyapparent and may be understood by referring to the following detaileddescription of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus for use with an acoustic drumto produce electrical signals while muting the sound of the acousticdrum in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, partially in cross-section, of the apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates the placement of the apparatus of FIG. 1 on a drumhead;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an apparatus for use with an acoustic drum toproduce electrical signals while muting the sound of the acoustic drumin accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an apparatus for use with an acoustic drum toproduce electrical signals while muting the sound of the acoustic drumin accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view, partially in cross-section, of an alternateembodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, there is shown apparatus 8 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In a preferredembodiment, apparatus 8 has a generally circular shape. However,apparatus 8 can be configured to have other shapes as well, e.g. square,rectangular, triangular, etc. Apparatus 8 generally comprises top layerof material 9 which has top side 10, bottom side 11 and peripheral endportion 12. Top layer of material 9 also includes opening 13 thatextends through the entire thickness of top layer of material 9. In apreferred embodiment, end portion 12 comprises a flanged portion 14which comprises inner surface 15A and outer surface 15B. This feature isfurther explained in the ensuing description. In a preferred embodiment,top layer of material 9 is fabricated from a resilient material. In oneembodiment, top layer of material 9 is fabricated from rubber. Anyknown, suitable process for forming top layer 9 from rubber may be used.When apparatus 8 is being used, a drummer strikes top surface 10 of toplayer of material 9 with drum sticks. However, this aspect of theinvention is further explained in the ensuing description, Referring toFIGS. 1, 2 and 4, apparatus 8 further comprises connector fixture 16.Connector fixture 16 comprises connector fixture mounting plate 18 andelectrical connector 20. In one embodiment, electrical connector 20 isconfigured as a jack-type connector. However, electrical connector 20may be configured as any other type of electrical connector suitable foruse with electrical signals. In one embodiment, connector fixture 16,except electrical connector 20, is fabricated from ABS plastic.Connector fixture 16 also includes electrical contacts 21 and 22 thatare electrically connected to electrical connector 20. Electricalconnector 20 is configured to be connected to electrical cables suitablefor electrical signals. Apparatus 8 further comprises wires 24 and 26that are connected to electrical contacts 21 and 22, respectively. Asshown in FIG. 2, connector fixture 16 extends through opening 13 in toplayer of material 9 so that electrical connector 20 is accessible.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, apparatus 8 further comprises piezoelectricsensor 30. Piezoelectric sensor 30 is shown in phantom in FIG. 1. In apreferred embodiment, piezoelectric sensor 30 is configured as acommercially available piezoelectric diaphragm. In one embodiment, thepiezoelectric diaphragm is shaped as a disc. Wires 24 and 26 areconnected to piezoelectric sensor 30. When the piezoelectric diaphragmis deformed by vibrations, it generates a voltage. Wires 24 and 26provide this voltage to electrical connector 20. A cable (not shown) canbe connected to electrical connector 20 so as to route the aforesaidelectrical signals to external equipment or signal processing devices,e.g. analyzers, modulators, synthesizers, amplifiers, sound mixingboards, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, apparatus 8 further comprises bottomlayer of material 40 which has bottom side 42. Bottom side 42 sits uponand directly contacts the drum head of a drum. In a preferredembodiment, bottom side 42 has a textured surface to provide a highdegree of friction between bottom side 42 and the drum head of a drum inorder to prevent apparatus 8 from sliding upon the drum head. Bottomlayer 40 further includes top side 44 and perimetrical edge 46. In apreferred embodiment, bottom layer 40 is fabricated from a resilientmaterial such as rubber. Any known and suitable process may be used tofabricate bottom layer 40 from rubber. However, other suitable materialsmay be used to fabricate bottom layer 40.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in one embodiment, apparatus 8 furthercomprises layer of vibration-isolating material 50. Layer 50 has a topside 52 and a bottom side 54. Bottom side 54 is attached to top side 44of bottom layer 40. The function of layer of vibration-isolatingmaterial 50 is to substantially isolate the drum head of the acousticdrum from the impact of the drum sticks upon top surface 10 of top layerof material 9. This will substantially reduce or mute any soundsproduced by the acoustic drum as the drum sticks are being played upontop layer 9. This feature is further described in the ensuingdescription. In a preferred embodiment, layer 50 is fabricated frommetal. Examples of suitable metals are steel, aluminum, copper, andbrass. However, layer 50 can be fabricated from other suitable materialsthat exhibit a relatively high degree of vibration-isolation. Forexample, layer 50 can also be fabricated from a non-metal such asplastic. In one embodiment, bottom side 54 of layer 50 is attached totop side 44 of bottom layer 40 with an adhesive, such as an epoxy.However, other suitable techniques may be used to attach layer 50 tobottom layer 40. In one embodiment, the diameter of layer 50 issubstantially the same as the diameter of bottom layer 40. Thus, theperimetrical edge 46 of bottom layer 40 contacts inner wall 15A offlanged portion 14 when apparatus 8 is completely assembled. Thus,layers 9, 40 and 50 are joined together to form a pad.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, piezoelectric sensor 30 is positioned on topside 52 of layer of vibration-isolating material 50. In one embodiment,piezoelectric sensor 30 is joined to top side 52 of layer ofvibration-isolating material 50 with an adhesive. However, othersuitable bonding techniques may be used to join sensor 30 to layer 50.Connector fixture mounting plate 18 is attached to top side 52 of layerof vibration-isolating material 50. In a preferred embodiment, anadhesive is used to attach fixture mounting plate 18 to layer ofvibration-isolating material 50. One example of a suitable adhesive isan epoxy. Top layer 9 is attached to layer of vibration-isolatingmaterial 50 and perimetrical edge 46 of bottom layer 40. In oneembodiment, an adhesive is used to join top layer 9 to layer ofvibration-isolating material 50 and perimetrical edge 46 of bottom layer40. One suitable adhesive is an epoxy. When top layer of material 9 isattached to layer of vibration-isolating material 50 and theperimetrical edge 46 of bottom layer 40, connector fixture 16 protrudesthrough opening 13. This configuration allows electrical connector 20 tobe accessible.

In one embodiment, top layer 9 and bottom layer 40 are fabricated fromrubber, and layer of vibration-isolating material 50 is fabricated frommetal, and the overall thickness of apparatus 8 is about ⅜ inch.However, the overall thickness of apparatus 8 may vary depending uponthe actual materials used to fabricate apparatus 8. In a preferredembodiment, apparatus 8 is fabricated so that its total weight isbetween 1.5 lbs and 3.0 lbs. Such a weight prevents movement ofapparatus 8 while in use on the drum head, and also provide a highdegree of durability.

Apparatus 8 is configured to be used with acoustic drums. Referring toFIG. 5, acoustic drum 60 has drum head 62. Apparatus 8 is placed on drumhead 62. Since, bottom layer 40 is fabricated from rubber, apparatus 8will not slide upon drum head 62. The musician (i.e. drummer) strikestop surface 10 of top layer of material 9 with his or her drum sticks.The top and bottom layers of material 9 and 40, respectively, and layerof vibration-isolating material 50 cooperate to substantially isolatedrum head 60 from the impact of the drum sticks upon top layer 9 therebysubstantially reducing or muting sounds produced by the acoustic drum inresponse to the impact of the drum sticks upon top layer 9. However, thephysical contact between the drum sticks and top layer 9 causes thepiezoelectric diaphragm (i.e. piezoelectric sensor 30) to generate anelectrical signal (i.e. voltage). The electrical signal travels overwires 24 and 26 to electrical connector 20. A cable (not shown) can beconnected to electrical connector 20 so as to route the electricalsignals generated by piezoelectric sensor 30 to other equipment, such asamplifiers, modulators, synthesizers, signal analyzers and processors,etc. Thus, apparatus 8 converts an acoustic drum into an electronicdrum.

The overall size of apparatus 8 may be varied to be used with drum headsof various sizes. Thus, if apparatus 8 is configured to have a generallycircular shape, then the diameter of apparatus 8 may be increased ordecreased depending upon the diameter of the drum head.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, apparatus 8 does not uselayer of vibration-isolating material 50. In such an embodiment, toplayer 9 is joined to top side 44 and perimetrical edge 46 of bottomlayer of material 40, and piezoelectric sensor 30 is sandwiched betweentop side 44 of bottom layer of material 40 and bottom side 11 of toplayer of material 9. In such an embodiment, the thickness of layers 9and 40 can be increased to achieve a sufficient level ofvibration-isolation. Such an embodiment is shown as apparatus 8′ in FIG.8. FIG. 8 is an exploded view of alternate apparatus 8′. In thisembodiment, connector fixture mounting plate 18 and piezo-electricsensor 30 are joined or attached to top side 44 of bottom layer ofmaterial 40 by any of the techniques or methods described in theforegoing description. Top layer of material 9 is joined or attached tobottom layer of material 40 by any of the techniques or methodsdescribed in the foregoing description. As shown in FIG. 8, apparatus 8′does not use any intermediate layers.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown apparatus 100 in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 100 comprises apad of resilient material 102 that has embedded therein a piezoelectricsensor 104 and wires 105A and 105B (shown in phantom). Pad of resilientmaterial 102 has top surface 106 and bottom surface 108. Apparatus 100also includes electrical connector fixture 110 that has electricalconnector 112. Wires 105A and 105B are electrically connected topiezoelectric sensor 104 and electrical connector 112. The pad ofresilient material 102 is placed on the drum head of the acoustic drumso that bottom surface 108 contacts the drum head. As the player strikestop surface 106 with the drum sticks, piezoelectric sensor 104 generatesa voltage signal that is routed to electrical connector 112 by wires105A and 105B. However, the pad of resilient material 102 substantiallyreduces or mutes any sounds produced by the acoustic drum as the drummerbeats the pad 102 with the drum sticks. In one embodiment, the pad ofresilient material 102 is fabricated from rubber. In a furtherembodiment, a layer of vibration-isolating material (similar to layer50) is embedded within pad of resilient material 102 and positionedunder piezoelectric sensor 104.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown apparatus 200 in accordance with yetanother embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus 200 comprises apad of resilient material 202 that has embedded therein a piezoelectricsensor 204 and wires 205A and 205B (shown in phantom). Thus, pad ofresilient material 202 has generally the same structure as pad 102 ofapparatus 100. However, in this embodiment, an electrical connectorfixture is not used. Instead, apparatus 200 comprises cable 206 that iselectrically connected to wires 205A and 205B. In a preferredembodiment, a portion 208 of cable 206 is embedded within pad ofresilient material 202. Cable 206 includes electrical connector 209 thatcan be connected to external equipment, e.g. modulators, amplifiers,etc. The pad of resilient material 202 has top surface 210 upon whichthe drummer strikes with the drum sticks, and a bottom surface 212 thatis placed on the drum head of the acoustic drum. In one embodiment, thepad of resilient material 202 is fabricated from rubber. In a furtherembodiment, a layer of vibration-isolating material (similar to layer50) is embedded within pad of resilient material 202 and positionedunder piezoelectric sensor 204.

The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of thepresent invention have been described in the foregoing specification.The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not,however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, asthese are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoingdetailed description should be considered as exemplary in nature and notas limiting the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in theattached claims.

1. An electronic percussion apparatus for use with an acoustic drum,comprising: a base layer of material having a first side for contactinga drum head of an acoustic drum, and an opposite, second side; a toplayer of material joined to said base layer of material; a percussiondetector between said base layer of material and said top layer ofmaterial, said percussion detector generating electrical signals upon apercussion impact on said top layer of material; and said top layer ofmaterial and said base layer of material each haying a thickness thatacoustically isolates the drum head from percussion impacts on said toplayer of material, wherein when said electronic percussion apparatus isplaced on a drumhead of an acoustic drum and percussion impacts occur onsaid top layer of material, the drumhead is acoustically isolated fromthe percussion impacts and said percussion detector generates electricalsignals in response to the percussion impacts on said top layer ofmaterial.
 2. The electronic percussion apparatus according to claim 1wherein said top and base layers of material are fabricated from aresilient material.
 3. The electronic percussion apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein said resilient material is rubber.
 4. The electronicpercussion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said percussiondetector comprises a piezoelectric sensor.
 5. The electronic percussionapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said top layer of material andbase layer of material are substantially circular in shape.
 6. Theelectronic percussion apparatus according to claim 1 further comprisingmeans for electrically connecting said electrical signals generated bysaid percussion detector to external equipment.
 7. The electronicpercussion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said top layer ofmaterial has an opening therein, and said apparatus further comprises anelectrical connector in electrical signal communication with saidpercussion detector, said electrical connector being attached to saidsecond, opposite side of said base layer of material and protrudingthrough said opening in said top layer of material.